Strategies to Help Seniors Manage Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in older adults. It is a degenerative joint disease that typically affects the knees, hips, and hands. Hence, many seniors diagnosed with osteoarthritis opt for assisted living or home care services to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

As a leading provider of home care services in Beaver, PA, we will discuss effective strategies to manage osteoarthritis in seniors.

• Maintain a healthy weight.
  Being overweight puts added stress on weight-bearing joints like the feet, ankles, spine, and hips. This further increases joint pain and swelling. Losing weight can help ease symptoms. This can be achieved by getting enough exercise and proper meal planning with the help of caregivers and healthcare providers.
• Get enough rest.
  Getting adequate sleep is essential as it helps seniors cope with the pain and stress of osteoarthritis. To build healthy sleeping habits, seniors should go to bed at the same time each night. Avoid watching television and other distractions an hour before bedtime to make it easier to fall and stay asleep.
• Use hot or cold packs.
  Hot or cold therapy is effective for managing pain. Hot compress alleviates joint stiffness while cold compress reduces swelling. Your healthcare provider may also recommend medications to ease the pain. Common examples include ibuprofen and acetaminophen or Tylenol.

Lowenhill Home Care Services is your go-to provider of reliable and trustworthy homecare in Westmoreland. From light housekeeping to respite services, we offer a wide range of in-home care services to meet your loved one’s unique needs. Reach out to us to arrange our services.